Women & Children’s Hospital Announces New CEO

LAKE CHARLES, LA(June 14, 2010) – Women & Children's Hospital (WCH) today announced that Bryan Bateman has been appointed chief executive officer. Bateman has been serving as the interim CEO since March 26, 2010.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to join such an outstanding team of dedicated employees, medical staff and volunteers at Women & Children's Hospital," said Bateman. "This is an exciting time for the hospital with the launch of new service lines and recent achievement awards for quality care as well as patient and employee satisfaction. I look forward to building on the hospital's many accomplishments and being a part of its future success."

Bateman has previously held executive positions at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Tex. and was the associate CEO at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, N.M. from 2004 to 2007.

Most recently, Bateman served as chief operating officer at Abilene Regional Medical Center, a full-service, 231 bed hospital located in Abilene, Tex. During his three years there, Bateman worked to enhance and expand the hospital's services, improve medical staff relations and increase operational efficiencies, while focusing on quality and customer service.

"Bryan is an energetic, accomplished healthcare leader and we are pleased to welcome him to Women & Children's Hospital," said Ben Mount, chairman of the Women & Children's Hospital Board of Trustees. "His management expertise, track-record of success and sincere desire to work with our board, medical staff and employees will enable us to build on WCH's positive momentum."

Bateman was born and raised in Texas. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from Canyon College and also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons.

Flu season is upon us. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana are already seeing high levels of flu activity. "Our ER director here at the hospital mentioned to me today that we've seen definitely in the last two weeks an increase in cases," said Christus St. Patrick's Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Timothy Haman. "Two to three to four patients a day, and we saw six yesterday." H...More >>

Flu season is upon us. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana are already seeing high levels of flu activity. "Our ER director here at the hospital mentioned to me today that we've seen definitely in the last two weeks an increase in cases," said Christus St. Patrick's Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Timothy Haman. "Two to three to four patients a day, and we saw six yesterday." H...More >>

Sinkholes in the road are an issue all over Lake Charles and a pretty common sight in the Downtown area. Drivers usually have to dodge the cones, especially on Division Street. If you drive down the stretch of Division Street, in between Ryan and Bilbo, you're probably used to avoiding a sinkhole. The most recent one was fixed Tuesday, caused by a cracked drainage line under the street where water seeped out and created a void. “They just go in, cut out a section and pour as...

Sinkholes in the road are an issue all over Lake Charles and a pretty common sight in the Downtown area. Drivers usually have to dodge the cones, especially on Division Street. If you drive down the stretch of Division Street, in between Ryan and Bilbo, you're probably used to avoiding a sinkhole. The most recent one was fixed Tuesday, caused by a cracked drainage line under the street where water seeped out and created a void. “They just go in, cut out a section and pour as...

Like every other state, Louisiana produces more waste in December than any other month. But individually there are things people can do to cut back on the trash they generate. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality encourages consumers to be part of the solution by working to have a more waste-free season. Their motto, Think green! Reduce, reuse and recycle. Imagine all the wrapping paper that goes to the landfill each year. Some alternatives are to wrap a gift in ...

Like every other state, Louisiana produces more waste in December than any other month. But individually there are things people can do to cut back on the trash they generate. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality encourages consumers to be part of the solution by working to have a more waste-free season. Their motto, Think green! Reduce, reuse and recycle. Imagine all the wrapping paper that goes to the landfill each year. Some alternatives are to wrap a gift in ...

A car crossed the median on I-10 in Rayne and crashed into a Calcasieu Parish school bus returning from a field trip, according to a report from Lafayette station KATC. Rayne Police Chief Carroll Stelly told KATC that there were five children aboard the bus. All the occupants are believed to be ok but have been transported to an area hospital to be checked out. The driver of the other vehicle was brought to a Lafayette hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The car was travel...

A car crossed the median on I-10 in Rayne and crashed into a Calcasieu Parish school bus returning from a field trip, according to a report from Lafayette station KATC. Rayne Police Chief Carroll Stelly told KATC that there were five children aboard the bus. All the occupants are believed to be ok but have been transported to an area hospital to be checked out. The driver of the other vehicle was brought to a Lafayette hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The car was travel...